NHL Lockout Is Official

The NHL released a brief statement at 12:05 AM indicating that the players would be locked out. Here is the full, 151-word statement:

The Sept. 15 deadline for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players' Association passed without an agreement being reached.

As a result, training camps will not open until agreement on a new CBA is reached.

Executives from the NHL and NHLPA last met Wednesday, when proposals for a new CBA were exchanged. An agreement was not reached and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said Saturday no formal negotiating sessions are scheduled.

"We spoke [Saturday] and determined that there was no point in convening a formal bargaining session in light of the fact that neither side is in a position to move off of its last proposal," Daly said. "I'm sure we will keep in touch in the coming days and schedule meetings to the extent they might be useful or appropriate. We are sorry for where we are. Not what we hoped or expected."

Training camps were to begin this coming Friday, September 21 and while there is some hope of beginning the season on time it's only some hope, and a deal would need to be done in the next two weeks. The NHLPA says an attempt was made to seriously negotiate on Saturday, but the NHL said there was no point.

The frustration is understandable, the NHL locked out its players on an arbitrary date after unilaterally deciding there was no point to negotiating—the third time in less than 20 years. The silver lining is that frustration and anger has provided a much more fitting name for Bettman.

Time's up: NHL lockout on after day without talks [USA today] CBA expires with no agreement reached [NHL]